Clemenger BBDO Wellington MD Livia Esterhazy to depart agency; Brett Hoskin to fill MD role

Clemenger BBDO and Proximity Wellington has announced that managing director Livia Esterhazy will leave the agency in the coming months. Esterhazy has been with the agency for the past two years presiding over a period of tremendous creative and business success. 

Clemenger Group veteran, Brett Hoskin, has been appointed to replace Esterhazy as managing director of Clemenger BBDO and Proximity.

Says Jim Moser, CEO Clemenger Group New Zealand: “Livia has been a significant force in our Wellington office since her arrival.  We will miss her enthusiasm, passion and drive but respect her decision to move on.

“During her tenure, Clemenger BBDO and Proximity Wellington has picked up a string of new business wins including the New Zealand Defence Force,The Flag Consideration Project, Kiwirail Freight and Interislander business, NZ Statistics – Census, Open Polytechnic, Farrah Wraps and a several other projects for various government organisations. We have also been recognised in global awards shows for the industry leading work we’ve done on clients like NZTA (including Cannes, Axis, Effies and the IPA Effectiveness Awards).  With a highly talented team around Livia, we’re confident of continued success.”

Esterhazy joined Clemenger BBDO and Proximity in early 2015 following a number of leadership roles in Wellington ad agencies. Esterhazy started her career in marketing on the client side and moved to the agency side when she relocated to Wellington ten years ago.

Says Esterhazy: “I’ve been leading advertising agencies now for ten years. It’s been an amazing ride and I’ve loved transforming each agency for the better. Clemenger BBDO is now in a great space with a fantastically talented team that the Exec and I have been crafting over the last year.”

Says Esterhazy on her future: “It was always my plan to work in advertising for 10 years and then broaden my horizon into wider strategic and leadership roles. I have started a consultancy firm called Galantha Consulting. Now that Clemenger BBDO and Proximity are in a great place to move forward from, I’m really excited about taking everything I have learnt on both sides of the fence and applying it to businesses and Government agencies, small and large.”

Hoskin is a Wellington and Clemenger loyalist having spent over 25 years in the windy city working in various roles within the group. Joining Colenso straight from design school, he’s been a designer, studio manager, art director, creative director and was integral in setting up Proximity’s CRM and digital offering before taking on the position of executive creative director. He has also been a key member of Clemenger BBDO’s executive team.

Says Moser: “Over the past several years, Brett has proven himself to be both a strong leader of the agency and a talented business person.  With his creative background and business skills, I am confident in Brett’s leadership of both Clemenger BBDO and Proximity while continuing our creative dominance.  He loves clients, he loves the work and his team love him.  We’re lucky to have someone of his calibre who can move into the managing director role.” 

Says Hoskin: “It has been great working with Liv to build such a strong and talented team here in Wellington and I am excited about leading the next chapter in our illustrious history. We wish Liv all the best with her next adventure, it’s certainly going to be quiet around here without her!”